Read Amos Chapter 4.
Don’t Have A Sloppy Lax View Of Sin!
Vs 1: God says, “Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, ‘Bring now that we may drink!'” The cows of Bashan are known for their fine quality. This verse is spoken metaphorically. God is referring to the well-to-do women of Samaria. These women love their luxurious lives. They urge their well-to-do husbands to bring home the Finer Things of Life at the expense of the poor and needy.
Seeing all of this, God promises to hold them accountable.
Vs 2 says, “The Lord God has sworn by his HOLINESS, behold the days are coming upon you when they will take you away….” Can we begin to understand the intensity of this statement? This HOLY God just made an oath or promise guaranteeing his judgment would become a reality because God, in his holiness, can’t allow sin to go unpunished.
In verse 1, we see families who have gotten so comfortable in a certain lifestyle that they have become blind to those who are suffering and in need. This blindness has also carried over on how they see sin. It’s like sin is no big deal. God, help us all comprehend the seriousness of sin. YOU HATE SIN! It’s detestable. It’s horrible, ugly, so worthy of punishment. It separates us from you forever. It brings death.
The smallest and most minute drop of sin is like a thousand atomic bombs going off within our soul. It’s destructive. It kills. God help us all see how detestable sin is to our souls and how it affects others.
The good news is this: when we recognize our sin and approach the throne of Grace with a broken and contrite, and repentive heart, God offers his forgiveness. The work of Christ at the cross, offers forgiveness of sin and brings Salvation to our souls. It makes us righteous and holy before a holy God.
Thank you God for your grace and mercy that I don’t deserve.
